A large group of concerned citizens and elected officials from all across Cherokee County and Northeast Alabama gathered at the Pitman Theatre in Gadsden on Wednesday evening for the second of two public scoping meetings that were held by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

WEIS Radio News attended that meeting in Gadsden and we spoke with Charles Walker, Spokesperson for the Corps who explained exactly why these meetings were being held.

The Corps of Engineers is initiating a study to evaluate, among other things – the potential flood operation changes for those Alabama Power Company reservoir projects.

The water supply study is part of an evaluation of a March 30th (2018) request by the State of Georgia for a water supply storage reallocation. The flood storage analysis will evaluate Alabama Power’s proposal to both raise the winter water level and lower the upper limit of flood storage at the Weiss and Logan Martin projects.

We spoke to Cherokee County Probate Judge/Commission Chairman Tim Burgess who was also in attendance during Wednesday’s meeting and he explained why this is so important for Cherokee County.

Locally Alabama Power has recommended a three foot draw down instead of the current six foot draw down.

Higher winter water levels would essentially translate to more open boat ramps and access to those creeks and coves not normally accessible in winter due to low water levels and this would make recreational lots available for use year ‘round to a much greater degree – while also providing a number of other benefits, including potential increases in property value.Andrew Jones(pictured above), a lifelong Cherokee County resident and candidate for State Senate District #10 told us that this especially important for tourism but also for water quality and recreation.